In the decade or so that digital cameras have been widely available, manufacturers have always looked to the design of classic cameras for inspiration. Olympus's recent PEN series harks back to the film models of the same name, while Leica's M range continues with a design long established in the analogue world.

Update: See our video review below

Fujifilm's X100, then, appears as just another retro-styled contender in the large-sensor/compact-body market, but its marriage of old-fashioned styling with new and innovative technology has, nevertheless, been met with an unprecedented response.

The reception seems to have taken even Fujifilm by surprise, with the company recently reporting that high demand had pushed shipments of the camera back until April – but with a price tag of a penny under £1000, is the Fuji X100 overblown and overpriced? Or can such a camera really be worth its asking price?

Inspired by the beauty and form of classic cameras from the past, the Fujifilm FinePix X100 combines all the latest technical digital innovations in a beautiful, traditional chassis.

The FinePix X100 is aimed at the professional photographer or keen enthusiast looking for exceptional quality pictures from a compact camera.

It is designed to appeal to the millions of DSLR users who need a more compact, back-up camera, for high quality in-fill shots when the use of a bigger SLR system is either inconvenient, or impractical.

Or, of course, it can be used as a professional's only top-end camera, if size and versatility are the primary considerations.